5 Most Happening Weekend Getaways from Belgaum (2024)

Belgaum is a city in Karnataka along the western ghats. It is strategically located near some of the popular tourist places. The Konkan stretch near Belgaum is one of the most happening places when it comes to tourism in not just India but the whole world. The coast consists of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, which are home to splendid tourist locations. While these states are in the vicinity, some of the tourist locations are far away from each other and very few locations are at a sweet spot from where you can visit most of the must-visit places in this area. Belgaum is one of them, and here’s a list of the best weekend destinations from Belgaum.

1. Goa

Goa is just around a hundred km away from Belgaum in Karnataka and has some of the most popular tourist locations not just in India, but all over the world. Tourists worth their passports already know the popular places in Goa, but for the sake of this list, here are some quick names.

Calangute beach is one of the most famous tourist locations in Goa. It is the perfect place for beach lovers, as it has a long walkable beachfront, has several restaurants dotting all over the beachside, making it the perfect day out. Calangute beach also has options for watersports and is also home to one an iconic restaurant, that’s part of Goa’s cultural heritage, Souza Lobo.

Once you are in Goa, visiting the beaches is mandatory. If you are there for just a weekend, you can do well by visiting the Calangute, Candolim and Baga beach stretch and also the Anjuna Beach. One place of religious tourism interest is the church in Panaji, the Church of Immaculate Conception. This church is one of the most recognizable images from Goa. Panaji has some other important churches as well, like the Bom Jesus Basilica, which has the tomb of St. Francis Xavier and St. Sebastian Chapel.

If you are looking to spend a weekend in Goa, head over to Calangute and Baga for a day and then to Panaji, to view these churches. Goa has amazing nightlife, but not very economical. Goa is also home to some casinos, which are a unique and rare experience in India. So, if you have the budget, do visit these casinos that are on the ships on the beachfront.

Goa is a popular tourist location and you will see several accommodation options, right from luxury hotels to dormitories. Unlike other tourist locations, Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka have a robust and economic public transport system, that comes in handy. So, if you are planning for a Goa trip, plan to use public transport, and you will save a decent amount of money. A weekend in Goa is always worth it, and the state is also one of the most exciting weekend destinations from Belgaum.

2. Dandeli

Dandeli is another place of tourist interest near Belgaum. Dandeli is famous among adventure seekers, as there are river rafting options in the Kali River. Several tourist companies offer these services in complete packages. Apart from the river rafting, you can also visit the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the perfect location for anyone looking to spend time between nature and view flora and fauna. At the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, you see various animals like leopards and elephants. You will also see exotic birds like the Kingfisher and others.

Another must-visit place in Dandeli is the Kavala Caves, though they are a bit of a trek. You need to climb 375 steps to reach the caves. The caves are unique, as it is one of the few locations in India that has a naturally formed shivling. While the exact date isn’t known, experts concede that the Kavala Caves exist since pre-historic times.

A little distance away from Dandeli is the Anshi National Park, which has more than forty tigers. For nature lovers, Belgaum also has the Kulgi Nature Camp, which is run by the Forest Department and offers a unique opportunity to spend some time in nature, and view animals, birds, and the ecosystem in its most natural form.

While Dandeli is off the beaten path in the coastal belt, it is still a popular tourist location and has everything that a tourist would require, including accommodation at economic rates. You can travel from Belgaum to Dandeli via road or train. To travel by train, you will need to board the train from Belgaum to Tavargatti and then take a taxi or private vehicle to Dandeli. Dandeli is about 100 km away from Belgaum and is one of the most prominent weekend destinations from Belgaum.

3. Amboli

Amboli is another great weekend destination from Belgaum. The best part about the tourist locations in this stretch is that it is home to historical structures like temples, forts, etc, and also offers scenic views that are spellbinding and unique to this area. At Amboli, you can visit the Hiranyakeshi Temple, one of the few temples that are in a cave on a hill. It is not the most accessible of temples, but the journey to reach the temple is a mini-adventure in itself. Amboli is about 80 km from Belgaum and it should take about two hours to complete this journey. Tourists new to this region should not confuse this Amboli with the Amboli that’s in Mumbai.

4. Gokarna

Gokarna is a popular tourist location near Belgaum. At a distance of about 200 km, Gokarna offers a mix when it comes to tourism. It has some stunningly beautiful temples as well as beaches that are perfect for spending a lazy afternoon – or an adventurous one if you plan to experience some watersports. The various beaches here are Gokarna Beach, Half Moon Beach, Paradise Beach, Kudle Beach, Om Beach, and others. When it comes to temples Gokarna is home to Mahabaleshwara Temple. The various hotels in Gokarna that offer accomodation at rates ranging from 1000 rupees to 2000 rupees are the Hotel Gokarna International, Hotel Om International, and Hotel Om Star. The beaches and the general ambience makes Gokarna one of the best weekend destinations from Belgaum.

5. Sawantwadi

Sawantiwadi is another popular tourist location in this area. Many tourists from Mumbai, Pune, and other nearby places make it a point to visit this place, particularly during the rainy season. While it doesn’t have many structures, Sawantwadi offers tourists a chance to drive through the natural beauty that’s not available in a jiffy. In Sawantwadi, make plans to visit the Sawantwadi Palace, which gives you an idea of architecture and the opulence when the Maratha empire was at its peak. Sawantwadi is around 100 km away from Belgaum and you can complete this journey by bus, private car, or train, as Sawantwadi has a railway station. Sawantwadi is about four hours away from Belgaum. Sawantwadi has several accommodation options and you will find hotels that offer you accommodation on a budget. The various hotels here are the Hotel Tara Lodging, Hotel Renuka Palace, Hotel Ruchi Deluxe, and others in the vicinity.

These are some of the places that you can visit nearby if you are in Belgaum. One aspect to note is the cuisine of the entire stretch. This is a fishing and fisher-intensive area, so the cuisine is mainly seafood and livestock. You might be hardpressed to get vegetarian cuisine, apart from the major hotels that offer all services and amenities.